We interviewed Gorka Blasco, organizer of Half Pamplona

He defines himself as passionate about sports in general and Triathlon in particular.

 

 

His relationship with this world begins in his childhood with Swimming, thanks to his father, he learned the values ​​of effort and dedication to overcome. Over the years, he was practicing other modalities, Football, Rugby, Full Contact, Taekwondo, Cycling to discover the Triathlon.

His first steps as a swimming coach were in the Lagunak team and later in the field of Triathlon, in teams such as Trikua Triathlon or Trikideak, until preparing Triathletes such as Raúl Amatriain and Nuria Rodríguez. He is currently defined as a passionate of this sport, whether in his variant as a participant, coach or organizer, he lives from all the barriers but always with a spirit of enjoyment and in good company.

Speaking of the Gorka organization At what moment do you feel the need to move from practicing Triathlon to immerse yourself in the organization of HALF TRIATHLON PAMPLONA / IRUÑA?

I'm starting to do triathlon because a good friend of mine, Ion Astigarraga, a companion by trade and great bike tours, told me about the possibility of participating in one and I thought it was something interesting that I could like given my past as a swimmer. The truth is that I already had a part that would not cost me too much and that in those years, curiously, was the most difficult for most of the triathletes. Also in his day I had a component of adventure and doing something different that attracted me a lot.

Over the years and leaving the competition, you feel the need to continue doing things in this sport and that is when the idea of ​​organizing something big so that others can enjoy it at the same level. This way you never get rid of the competition, although I could not because I'm still linked as Saltoki Trikideak Technical Director and Trikua coach and several triathletes.

 

How did the idea of ​​preparing an event with these characteristics come about? How many people are behind this project?

Well the idea of ​​preparing an event in Pamplona had haunted my head for years. It is an emblematic city for its encierros and when discussing with other triathletes friends the possibility of doing a Triathlon for them, we always found it a very valid option for its attractiveness. After some time thinking about how to organize it, at 2014 we decided to throw ourselves into the pool with a "now or never" and we started working against the clock to get the first edition of the HALF TRIATHLON PAMPLONA / IRUÑA in May of 2015.

There are many people behind an event of these characteristics, highlighting the more than 300 volunteers, the collaboration and sponsorship of Camping de Aritzaleku, the sponsors, institutions such as the City Council of Pamplona and the Government of Navarre, the Municipal Police, the Police Foral, etc. But if I have to highlight someone on all things, it is to my 3 friends and comrades of battles in this of the organization: Juan Cruz Arguñariz (Technical Director), Ramiro Urra and Patxi Martínez de Irujo.

How does it feel to be behind and not competing?

It is somewhat confusing ... On the one hand, an illusion to see that something that you are part of as an organizer is enjoyed by other triathletes in an environment that you know very well and that is part of your life. On the other hand, a bit of pity of not being able to enjoy it from within as a participant, you do not have that global vision because you do not live it in first person as a competitor, but hey, since I stopped competing I have not been one of those who spend envy when I see As others run, without further ado, it's a bit of grief.

What does Pamplona-Iruña offer that does not offer another location to the triathlete?

Pamplona is a city that has no sea so we have that handicap, which we supply with the Pantano de Alloz, a beautiful place where you can find the Camping de Aritzaleku, from where the Half Triathlon Pamplona / Iruña starts.

Afterwards, we cycle by highways in the middle area of ​​Navarra until we reach Pamplona, ​​which we enter through the first stretch of the encierro route to reach the heart of the city, Plaza del Castillo.

The route starts at the ramparts, along the river and the Huertas de Aranzadi until climbing again through the streets of the encierro to the Plaza del Castillo during 3 turns.

Therefore, what Pamplona offers to the triathlete is a test of quality at a contained price, with studied, beautiful and well-controlled routes. The possibility of entering with the bicycle to the center of the city and running through its streets, with everything fenced and controlled by municipal police and many volunteers.

A magical city where sport is experienced in a special way and that the triathlete will be able to notice in its streets and its people.

What is the future of HALF TRIATLON PAMPLONA-IRUÑA? Are there prospects to continue growing? And increase long distance?

The future of the test will tell us the time and the triathletes. If we do things right, we will continue to grow and we will be able to continue increasing services and care for the triathlete. We want this event to become a national reference, and why not, international, and get a service at the same level as the great tests of our sport.

At the moment we do not have in mind to extend the distance and consolidate what we have.

 

If you want more information about HALF TRIATLON PAMPLONA-IRUÑA visit its website:

http://www.triatlonpamplona.es/